Twins 6, Yankees 3: Kubel's Grand Slam Gives Twins First Win in New York Since 2007
by Jesse on May 16, 2010 6:00 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
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PrintWelcome back, Jason Kubel.
No, he never really left. But by essentially Yankee-ing the Yankees this afternoon he announced his presence with authority.
It looked like just another Twins game in New York for most of the afternoon. Justin Morneau boshed his ninth bomb of the season in the top of the second to give Minnesota their requisit lead-to-be-taken-away, and naturally the Yanks put up a two-spot in the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth a Mark Teixeira fly somehow escaped Denard Span's glove in the left-center field gap, and that made it 3-1.
Nick Blackburn did exactly what the Twins needed him to do: keep them in the game against an All-Star lineup. He only faced the minimum twice across seven innings, but he struck out four, kept the ball in the park and scattered nine hits and a walk just enough to mitigate damage. This is exactly the kind of outing we've come to expect from Blackbeard over the last few seasons--the guy may not have the sexiest of stuff, but he can pitch a big game.
On the other side, Sergio Mitre was effective. After Morneau's home run in the second, the only time he didn't face the minimum was in the fifth when he escaped a runners-on-the-corners threat. The next inning, against somebody called David Robertson, Michael Cuddyer lined into a double play.
But in the eighth inning, however, the Twins took out the Yankees two best relief pitchers at the knees.
Joba Chamberlain loaded the bases off two singles and a walk: Span single, out on Hudson's fielder's choice, Mauer walk, Morneau K'd, Cuddyer two-out single. Naturally, leading 3-1, the Yankees brought in Mariano Rivera to grab the four-out save.
Oh yes, the same Mariano Rivera who has been Godzilla to our Tokyo. The same Mariano Rivera who has been to Minnesota in the 2000's what Troy Percival was in the late 90's. The same Mariano Rivera who made some rookie named Jason Kubel look like a damn fool in October of 2004 (ARGH, JUAN RINCON FLASHBACK!).
Rivera proceeded to battle with Jim Thome, who worked a walk to bring the Twins within a run. Enter: Jason Kubel. Kubel knows his track record against Dr. Death. Kubel watched Rivera's first cutter dip down and in for ball one, and naturally he hurled the cutter again.
Kubel smashed it.
As Dick Bremer gave himself a hernia, Kubel's line drive took a shallow arc through the blue New York sky and landed in the right field seats. It capped off a five-run inning for the Twins, giving them a 6-3 lead.
Jon Rauch gave up back-to-back singles to kick off the ninth inning to make it interesting, but then struck out Derek Jeter, Brett Gardner and Mark Teixeira to put the lid on the Yankee coffin.
Getting the team's first win in NYC since 2007? Priceless. Kubel went just 3-for-8 in the series, which is hardly enough to say he's turning his season around, but it's better than he's done most of the season. This was a great win; hell, any win against the Yankees is a great win. Hopefully this can go just a little way towards whatever that stigma is that Minnesota has against the Bombers in New York, and in general.
Yankees coverage
SB Nation game coverage
Studs
Kubel: Game-winning grand slam (.513 WPA)
Blackburn: 7 innings, 3 runs (-.006 WPA)
Mauer: No hits, but a pair of big walks (.086 WPA)
Thome: A good single, but a bigger walk (.069 WPA)
Rauch: Balling up and striking out the side to finish it (.049 WPA)
Duds
None. Everyone contributed something today.
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Anyone else harken back to the playoff game
what year was it? 2003? 2004? when Rivera struck out a then young Jason Kubel, just up from the minors, on a high fast ball wiith runners on 2nd and 3rd in the, what was it, top of the 8th? The Twins, if they had won that game, would have won both games in New York to start that series. As it was, Koskie’s long double bounced into the stands, Kubel pinch hit and struck out, and the Twins did not break the tie and Nathan faltered in the 10th or 11th. I believe that was the Ruben Sierra home run game series when Juan Rincon kept us from going back to New York and another chance for Santana in the Apple.
Anyway, sometimes it takes a long time to get another chance. Kubel hit that one good. First grand salami off of Rivera since 2002, first blown in save in Yankee stadium since 2007, first this , first that, what a way to end a drought.
by Old Twins Cap on May 16, 2010 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup, 51 saves
in a row by Rivera at Yankee stadium. Not today though, baby!
I think
I think you’ve got a couple different games mixed up there. Koskie’s GRD going into the stands that kept Rivas from scoring WAS in NY, but Kubel’s K was at home, I was there, it sucked, and he looked terribad.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
by AdamOnFirst on May 17, 2010 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I remember Kubel's big AB against the Rivera at the Stadium
"You must be the dumbest SOB in the league. Everybody in the stadium knew you were going to get drilled, except you.'' - Jody Davis
Kubel has actually always hit rivera well in season
3/6 now with a home run.
He’s just struck out every time he faced him in the playoffs
I still remember that AB for Kubel
It looked like he was swinging at a pinata, took a few years but us Twins fans finally got to enjoy the candy…
"You must be the dumbest SOB in the league. Everybody in the stadium knew you were going to get drilled, except you.'' - Jody Davis
Yankee the Yankees
I love it. Love.
Also, I must protest — Nick Blackburn’s stuff is indeed sexy.
http://www.realityfish.com
They don't call him "Pumpkin Tits" for nothing
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Kubel smashed it." -Jesse
by less cowbell, more 'neau on May 16, 2010 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Yesss
The late inning magic finally goes the Twins way! Way to go boys! Even if the 9th inning was a bit stressful, it was a great game! I have to say this has been my favorite game this season. I haven’t been this happy after a Twins win for a long time!
I'm going to post this again because I wanna
Kubel’s Grand Slam
My favorite part My secon My thir My 4th favorite part is that a Reds fans got the ball and not some yanqui fan.
KUBES, THAT WAS AWESOME!!! WAY TO GO TWINS!!!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Kubel smashed it." -Jesse
by less cowbell, more 'neau on May 16, 2010 6:34 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
If anyone can find the John Sterling call on Kubel's GS, please post
I heard it on the radio this morning and it was hilarious. He calls him Jason coo-BELL and calls the Twins Toronto.
This is the giddiest I've ever felt after a baseball game!
It is so sweet to burn the Yankees late in a game after they routinely steal games from us in late innings. And to break out of our bases-loaded funk with a grand slam by Kubel who has been struggling mightily? Amazing! And for Rauch to close it down the way he did with strikeouts of the top three hitters of the Yankees order, all representing the tying run? Just classic!
Question though: If Cuddyer’s “hit” in the 8th had been ruled an error on Teixera (who should have caught the ball IMO), would the two runs against Rivera still have been earned? That catch would have been the third out, so theoretically the Yankees should have already been out of the inning with no runs scoring. Because of this “error,” any future runs in the inning would be unearned. But as far as Rivera is concerned, the error did not happen when he was pitching, and earned runs are runs traditionally thought to be the pitcher’s fault. Giving up a walk and a home run should still be two earned runs in that situation IMO because what has happened earlier in the inning has no effect on what Rivera does. It’s a moot point because Cuddyer’s batted ball was scored a hit, but I was just curious if the runs against Rivera would be earned if that play had been ruled an error. By the way, I think the reason Teixera missed the ball was that he was shocked Cuddyer actually made contact with a slider down and away. I know I was predicting a strikeout on that pitch as soon as Cuddyer had two strikes on him.
Rule 10.16i
(i) When pitchers are changed during an inning, the relief pitcher shall not have the benefit of previous chances for outs not accepted in determining earned runs.
It would have been tough to give Teixeira an error on that play, though. It was bang-bang and he was shielded by the runner. We’ve have our share of LIDP’s in the past two games. Its about time of those didn’t get snagged.
Thank you much
I agree with the rule. It makes sense and is what I thought it was.
Has anyone ever seen Gardy show so much excitement in the dougout...
as he did after that grand slam. He was dishing out high five like Punto dishes out week ground balls to the shortstop.
I want to have Buddy Nix's baby.
Thank you Jesus!
This is what we needed. Too bad i missed this game. it looks like a real classic. We did out Yankee the Yankees. Now lets go beat the Jays and Red Sox.
Joe Mauer says "you're welcome"
"You must be the dumbest SOB in the league. Everybody in the stadium knew you were going to get drilled, except you.'' - Jody Davis
Oh, man.
So, so good. Kubel is a hero.
"A-Rod has that arrogance about him. I’d drill him." -Bert Blyleven
Great win
let’s start a better streak against the Yankees, I doubt they’ll catch that many breaks at Target Field
"Baseball is the only major sport that appears backward in a mirror" ~George Carlin
by thewild_viking_twins on May 16, 2010 9:19 PM EDT reply actions
A great day for The Beard and all of Twins territory
"It wasn't long ago that Kubel communicated mostly by nodding and mumbling." - Souhan
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on May 16, 2010 9:34 PM EDT reply actions
Like a great burden has been lifted
hopefully it means more wins against the Yankees(especially in October)
It's one win
It’s an impressive win, but the Yankees still won the series. Let’s see them beat the Yankees at home before I chalk this up to more than a blind squirrel finding a nut.
Lol at Pinstripe Alley Posters
The Yankees lose one game to us and their fans are breaking out graphs of the strike zone to “prove” that a conspiracy was in play. Some guy said Rivera got squeezed on Thome and Teixera’s called strike three to end the game was inside. I joined Pinstripe Alley to laugh at the guy, but their website said I could not post anything until tomorrow. By that time, I probably won’t even feel like gloating. Anyhow, it’s worth a look if you want to laugh at people that clearly don’t realize how fortunate they are to have the highest payroll and the best players in the game.
Wasn't there a questionable called 3rd strike on Morneau earlier in the 8th?
David Wells even conceded that the Yankees caught a break on that one.
I would think that Yankee fans would just be blowing this off as a random loss.
That was a very questionable call to Morneau
Although I have to say the strike zone seemed pretty generous on the outside corner all game. The ball four to Thome could have been called either a strike or a ball, but since Tschida was calling anything above the belt a ball, it was the right call. And the pitch to Teixera had a lot of the plate. The ironic thing is that the pitch Kubel hit a home run on would probably have been called a ball based on the fact that Tschida was less generous on the inner edge than the outer.
Random?
Hey, if we can’t help getting all excited for the win—monkey off our backs, and all—maybe Yankee fans can’t help but feel like there’s a crack in their dominance.
Just saying its a bigger deal for us than it is for them
I mean, 12 consecutives losses (or whatever it was) really got inside our heads. We were sort of getting Pre-2004 Red Sox Fan Syndrome where we doubted if any victory was even possible. Maybe ghosts or spirits were kicking the ball of Baker’s knee into right field or something. So, its big to get that out of our heads so that we can get back to playing the game on the field instead of believing in voodoo.
From their standpoint, they still won the series. Losses stink, but they lose 60-odd wins most years. Its not in the division. Its only May. They could hardly be doubting their ability to win because they just picked up rings last month. Just surprised that their fans are making a big fuss.
I agree with you.
Mariano hadn’t given up a run all season, so it was bound to happen sometime. It just so happened that the worst pitch he’s thrown all season came with a couple inherited runners on base. It’s a good win for the Twins, but as a Yankee fan I can brush it off. If you can beat our best reliever you deserve to win.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
by CasanovaWong on May 17, 2010 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Cudos/Kubels to:
Rauch, for doing what even the inestimable Joe Nathan can’t seem to do—close out a game in NY.
Guerrier, for getting back on the horse.
Duensing, for adapting to his new role with aplomb.
Tolbert, for his plucky hitting early on, keeping the Dementors at bay.
Thome, for his patience
Butera, for his speed in rounding the bases quickly enough to leave the spotlight on Kubel.
Blackbeard, for his unperilelled toughness. Ugly stats. I never thought he’d make it through 7. But if there is one pitcher on the team I’d trust with $24 Million, it’s him. (Give Francisco a season of dominance/health and I’ll add him to the list.) At any rate, if Blackie goes in game one, the series goes different. To paraphrase Gladden, the team believes in him and plays better when he is on the mound.
Morneau, for reminding us what a difference he would have made in the playoffs last year.
Casilla, because he doesn’t really suck, and with a year as O-dog’s understudy, may actually develop into a major leaguer.
Kubel, for once again proving my fantasy baseball Murphy’s law theory correct. Bench them, and they will hit.
I watched the game at a bar in Sioux Falls
…and when Ivan Nova came out and some guy said, “Ivan Nova—the Yankees are signing ballerinas now?”
Best non-grand slam, non-9th inning strike-out moment of the afternoon.
I caught the ninth inning on the Yankees' radio feed
John Sterling kept pronouncing Kubel like his name was two words, Koo Bell. But to his credit, he really congratulated the Twins and gave a lot of credit to Rauch when Rauch struck out three in a row to end the game.
"It wasn't long ago that Kubel communicated mostly by nodding and mumbling." - Souhan
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on May 16, 2010 10:50 PM EDT reply actions
To me it's always been a simple problem.
While both teams have some great Talent, the Yankees are simply deeper. They can keep coming at you with your A game over and over and over compared to the Twins who start strong but simply don’t have the stamina to play with the Yankees over a series. Now maybe it’s nonsense since 4 games or 3 games is a small sample size, but I’ve seen it year in and year out. The Twins have talent, but just can’t play the full 9 innings or 3 games or whatever at the level the Yankees can and so fold toward the end.
Maybe it’ll be better this year. Hope so!
GREAT WIN.
I am still upset we lost the series, thinking we should have handled game 1 better than we did. But I’ll take this for sure.
If nothing else, it gives us momentum into what will be a very difficult week.
I always loved that one.
Two very significant things in this one
1) Thome vs. Rivera, legend vs. legend. Thome gets the benefit of the doubt on ball 4. Would any other Twin (other than Joe) get an expanded zone vs. Rivera?
2) Rauch is not afraid of the Yankees. Indeed, it is possible the Yankees are afraid of Rauch.
by z-squad on May 16, 2010 11:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think anyone would have gotten that called a Ball.
It was WAY up. WAAAAAY up.
I always loved that one.
I've never seen th likes of it
I’ve been watching Rivera his whole career and I’ve never seen a left-handed batter get out in front of his cutter and make such solid contact. Usually, if they make contact at all it’s a blooper off the handle of the bat.
The closest thing to this was Koskie’s ground rule double in the 2004 playoffs. But that was the other way.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
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